Nadia Murad is a Yazidi human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has become a significant voice in the fight against sexual abuse in conflict zones. Her advocacy work has drawn attention to the suffering of the Yazidi people and other persecuted populations, and her tale of survival and resiliency has inspired people worldwide.
Every time I tell my story, I feel that I am taking some power away from the terrorists.
Lets begin at the beginning..
Who is Nadia Murad?
1993 saw the birth of Nadia Murad in the sleepy Iraqi town of Kocho. She was raised in an intimate Yazidi community, a religiously marginalized sect that has endured centuries of discrimination and persecution. She was only 21 when ISIS terrorists stormed her community in August 2014 and kidnapped her and thousands of other Yazidis.
Three months of Nadia’s captivity under ISIS’s control included brutal sexual abuse and torture. She was forced to convert to Islam after being bought and sold by various ISIS fighters. She finally succeeded in escaping with the aid of a Muslim family, making her way to a refugee camp in northern Iraq.
I hope it will help bring justice for those women who suffered from sexual violence.
Nadia shared her tale with the world and fought for the rights of the Yazidi people after making her escape. She was named a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking in 2016. She and Congolese campaigner Denis Mukwege shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for their efforts to end sexual violence in armed conflict.
I never thought, in my life, I’d be sold. It’s painful to say, as a human, ‘I was sold.’
Impact & Advocacy Work Against Sexual Abuse
Nadia has dedicated her advocacy work to ending sexual abuse in crisis zones and bringing attention to the suffering of the Yazidi people and other persecuted groups. She has advocated for justice and accountability for the crimes against the Yazidis and other ISIS victims at the United Nations and other international venues.
When genocide is committed, it must be seen. People must look at it with open eyes, not minimize its impact.
Nadia’s Initiative offers help to underprivileged people through healthcare, education, and other services, she has also worked to provide assistance and services to survivors of sexual violence.
Nadia’s effective activism has dramatically influenced the world’s discourse on sexual violence in armed conflict. Several individuals worldwide have been moved by her bravery and fortitude in the face of unspeakable anguish to speak up and take action to stop this horrific crime.
In one of her interviews, Nadia mentions that: “I don’t know a lot about politics, but there are things I desire from the entire globe, all governments, and all people who will hear my voice: that we all stand together, from all nations and religions. Whatever occurs, we are all human and hence the same. We take a stance for conscience and humanity, to stop these things from occurring to us right now so that this won’t happen to other people so that it won’t happen to other children, women, and girls, and to erase this terrorism from the world.”
I do not seek more sympathy; I want to translate those feelings into actions on the ground.
Nadia Murad is a strong voice in the struggle against sexual violence in crisis areas, and her advocacy work has greatly influenced the global dialogue on this subject. Her commitment to pursuing justice and holding perpetrators of sexual abuse accountable inspires us all. Her narrative of survival and resiliency has inspired people all around the world. Nadia’s message of optimism and resiliency will continue to direct us as we progress toward a more just and peaceful society.
Nadia’s Plea To The World
Throughout her advocacy efforts, Nadia has underlined the significance of hearing the stories of survivors of sexual violence and ensuring they are not forgotten or neglected. She has also demanded that those who conduct these crimes be held more accountable, including through the creation of an international tribunal to try ISIS members for war crimes and genocide.
In her autobiography “The Last Girl: My Tale of Captivity, and My Struggle against the Islamic State,” Nadia discusses her experiences and the necessity of taking action to stop sexual abuse in armed conflict. “I want to be the last girl in the world with a narrative like mine,” the author writes.
Despite unimaginable misery, Nadia’s message is one of hope and fortitude. She has demonstrated that even the worst of situations can be overcome and that by speaking up and taking action, we can work to build a society where sexual assault in armed conflict is neither accepted nor disregarded.
Deciding honestly, was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made and also the most important.
– Nadia Murad